NSW under Qld’s skin for Origin: Gallen

Paul Gallen has claimed the psychological high ground for NSW ahead of State of Origin III, with the NSW skipper believing the Blues are messing with the heads of their Queensland counterparts in the lead-up to the series decider.

In his traditional media conference on Tuesday on the eve of the Origin decider, Gallen claimed David Klemmer had managed to get under the skin of the Maroons in their game-two win at the MCG and was set to do so again on Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.

With serial sledger Michael Ennis set to take Robbie Farah’s spot in the Blues’ side, Gallen believes NSW could enter Wednesday’s Origin decider with a psychological advantage.

“I think they will be somewhat ruffled by Klemmer,” Gallen said.

“He has gotten under their skin, you don’t see Queensland talking about NSW too much and they have definitely spoken about guys like him and Ennis.

“Klem is a big powerful thing and I wouldn’t want him running at me the way he runs at them so I’m sure they will be wary of them.”

Both Ennis and Farah trained with NSW in their captain’s run on Tuesday in the limited part of the session which media were permitted to view.

Farah trained on the right side with five-eighth Mitchell Pearce, while Ennis worked on the left with halfback Trent Hodkinson. However, Farah did appear to be affected by his right hand following last week’s surgery.

One of the NRL’s masters of the art of sledging, Gallen said Ennis would bring another edge to game three for the Blues.

“I saw Matt Scott the other day complaining about it so he is already under their skin,” Gallen said.

“He is just a competitor; he has got some niggle in him; he has got more talk than niggle.

“He will be great, if he gets out there and gets his opportunity – he will make the most of it.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD ORIGIN STATS SINCE THE SERIES BEGAN IN 1980, AHEAD OF WEDNESDAY’S 2015 DECIDER: